Should you store your cake in the fridge?
This is a question I get asked a lot by my students even customers. I also see the question asked on social media a lot.
I always put my cakes in the fridge after a crumb coat and then after each coat of buttercream so it has time to set. It is also best practice to leave the cake in the fridge for a while before adding the chocolate drip. (This will be discussed further down)
Naked cakes
I have made a few naked wedding cakes and made them the night before. They have to be filled and then a small amount of buttercream is added to the top and sides of the cake. They are left to set for 10-15 minutes then taken out and covered in cling film and put back in and left overnight. The next day the cling film is taken off and the cakes are dowelled. The cakes are then boxed up and left to adjust to room temperature before taken to the venue to be stacked and decorated. The naked wedding cake should be eaten on the day as it will be stale and dried out if eaten the next day. On the other hand a wedding cake covered in fondant will last a lot longer due to the fondant sealing the cake.
Chocolate drip cakes
If you make a chocolate drip cake then it should be put in the fridge in between coats of buttercream and before the drip is added.
Why is this done?
The buttercream will set quicker in between the layers.
The chocolate drip will glide down and set on the cold cake. REMEMBER to do a test drip first at the back of the cake to see if the consistency and temperature of the drip is correct
Tips
From experience I leave the chocolate drip to set for a few hours on the cake, especially in the hot weather. When the chocolate drip has set then I add the buttercream swirls and sweets etc. By doing it this way the drip has time to set.
Why do you do this?
Sometimes if the chocolate drip hasn’t set and the decoration is added it might carry on dripping and spoil the finish of the cake.
Where can I store it?
The cake can be stored in a cake box in a cool room. The curtains can also be drawn to keep the room cooler or put a fan on.
WHY STORE THE CAKE IN A BOX AND NOT THE FRIDGE
If the cake is stored in the fridge the sponge will dry out. Also, if there are strong smelling foods in the fridge then the cake will absorb the flavours.
If the cake is left in the fridge then it doesnt have time to absorb the buttercream and it might slide off when the cake comes to room temperature and is transported to the venue.
If the cake is eaten soon after collection or delivery the buttercream will have a buttery taste. It tastes much better at room temperature.
FRESH CREAM CAKES MUST BE STORED IN THE FRIDGE AS THEY ARE CLASSED AS HIGH RISK FOODS
If a customer wants to keep the cake for longer than a few days tell them to freeze it. Cut the cake up into pieces and freeze it. It will keep up to a month in the freezer
The cake needs time to crust over, especially buttercream cakes. If the cake is taken out of the fridge
Hope this information is useful
Happy Baking
Caroline x
